Hendrick Moy Photography
Wedding photography trends are constantly evolving. Each passing year brings new styles and techniques that capture the essence of love and romance in fresh and exciting ways. As we march into the 2023 wedding season, photographers are buzzing with the latest trends and styles that are set to take the industry by storm. However, staying up-to-date with the latest trends is essential, whether you’re a wedding photographer or a soon-to-be bride or groom. That said, read on for the top ten wedding photography styles and trends for 2023!
But First– Why Is Wedding Photography Important?
Your wedding day is arguably the most important day of your life, potentially filled with unforgettable moments and cherished memories. That’s where wedding photography comes in to capture the entire day and preserve those moments long after the day has passed.
From the excitement of the bride and groom prep to the emotions of the ceremony, and unmitigated joy at the reception, wedding photography tells the story of your big day! It’s your one chance to catch those unseen moments you have missed amidst the day’s hustle and bustle, and take portraits with beloved family members who (forgive me) will not always be with you.
These images are more than just photos. They’re a gift to your future selves and future generations; tangible keepsakes that will be cherished more and more, as the years go by. So why not invest in wedding photography, and ensure you’ll have these memories to treasure forever?
10 Latest Styles & Trends In Wedding Photography for 2023
Here are the top styles and trends in wedding photography for 2023 –
1. Contemporary Photography
Contemporary wedding photography is about capturing the wedding day in a modern, artistic way. It blends various photographic techniques to produce stunning, fashionable pictures, from candid shots to posed portraits. With its focus on creativity, artistry, and storytelling, contemporary photography can create stunning, personalized images that truly reflect the unique personalities and styles of the couple. Photographers use lighting, composition, and framing to create eye-catching, memorable, and unique photos. Their sometimes-polarizing work often doesn’t appeal to the vast majority due to being a bit too “out there”, but are absolutely adored by those who value their specific niche!
2. Traditional Photography
Traditional wedding photography is still a popular choice for many couples, and it’s a style that has stood the test of time. It involves capturing classic posed shots of the couple, their families, and their guests, mostly smiling in front of the camera. It’s a more formal approach to wedding photography that emphasizes the importance of documenting you and your guests, over a photojournalistic, “fly-on-the-wall” style.
3. Natural and Candid Photography
Natural and candid photography is all about capturing the wedding day as it happens. It’s a style that emphasizes capturing spontaneous, unposed moments that convey the emotions and excitement of the day. Photographers use their expertise to capture these moments without interfering or directing the action, resulting in authentic and intimate images.
4. Fine Art Photography
Fine art photography is a style that highlights the photographer’s creative expression. It’s a more abstract approach that uses lighting, composition, and other techniques to create unique and artistic images. It’s popular for couples who want something different from traditional wedding photography. Like the contemporary photographers, they may also not be for everyone, but are absolutely loved by their fans!
5. Drone Photography
With the latest advancements in technology, drone photography has become an increasingly popular trend in wedding photography. Photographers can use unmanned aerial vehicles to capture stunning shots from above, highlighting the beauty of outdoor wedding venues and surrounding landscapes. In addition, drone photography offers a unique perspective that can add an extra layer of creativity to traditional wedding photography. It’s a great way to capture the magic of your special day from a whole new angle.
6. Natural Light Photography
Some photographers don’t prefer using any flash in their work, and solely embrace the use of available ambient light when possible. While this is a bit limiting at times, many photographers are very adept at this, and create gorgeous work! One giant caveat, however, is that the conditions need to be right in order for their style to truly shine (literally). If it’s cloudy, or rainy, or the wedding takes place mostly indoor, obviously that signature beautiful golden sunlight can only take you so far.
7. Use of Creative Blur
A trend gaining traction is the use of blur purposefully and creatively. This is not to be confused with camera shake which is actually photographic error. Some forward-trending couples are looking for something more artistic, and love the old film camera quality where images weren’t completely tack-sharp, and bringing back the look of slight motion blur due to a slower shutter speed. Personally, I feel like there are right and wrong ways to do this, and when done right, they definitely add a very specific, almost nostalgic feel to the images.
8. Direct Flash Photography
Photographers like Terry Richardson made popular the editorial style of lighting subjects directly with the flash right on the camera facing the subject. This look has long been scoffed at, by photographers who prioritize using light to beautify, rather than simply capture. While it’s one of the signs that a shooter is new to photography, it’s making a slight comeback as one of those “ironically cool” new trends.
9. Off-Camera Flash Portraiture
As flash equipment becomes more portable and more powerful, photographers who are very particular about how to shape and use light have more doors open to them. They can use these lighting techniques to create truly dramatic and exquisite portraiture, having full control of how light looks on their subject. This essentially means they can shoot anywhere, and make almost any situation look amazing. The downside, is that it still adds something else to carry and bring along, and though softer light is typically more desirable, it also means you need a larger, less portable, light source to lug around. That’s not an easy task for a wedding photographer, who needs to be agile and mobile.
10. Vintage Film Photography
Believe it or not, film photography still exists! It is embraced by a select few stalwarts who still love that special quality that only film can encapsulate. It’s a popular choice for couples who want something different from the usual digital photography, and perfect for weddings that take place mostly outdoor, as the true boon of film is that it retains an immense amount of information when it comes to highlights (bright areas of an image). However, the opposite is also true, where shadows do wind up being more difficult to bring up, since each roll can only be one film speed (ISO/ASA). Still, this comes in the form of random film grain, rather than the patterned digital noise we’re all used to with digital cameras now, with the former being far more pleasing to the eye.
Wrapping Up
Your wedding day is all about creating unforgettable moments that you will cherish for a lifetime. And what better way to capture those memories than through the lens of a capable professional photographer? The latest trends in wedding photography for 2023 offer an array of styles and options that will make your special day stand out among the rest.
There’s something for everyone, from traditional poses to candid photojournalism, natural light shooters to photographers who carry tons of off-camera flash equipment. The key is to find a wedding photographer who can translate your vision into stunning visuals that tell your love story the way it’s meant to be told. So go ahead and explore the latest styles and trends, and make sure your wedding photography is as unique as the both of you!
EPILOGUE
How Important Is Editing In Wedding Photography?
Wedding photography is about capturing the big day’s fleeting moments and emotions. But the art of editing truly brings those captured moments to life. It’s like a magic wand that enhances the images, making them visually appealing and timeless. By employing the proper editing techniques, wedding photographers can transform their photographs into masterpieces that the couple will cherish forever. So, editing plays a crucial role in wedding photography, and sets apart an average picture from an exceptional one.
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If you find Hendrick’s articles helpful, we invite you to LIKE our photography Facebook page. Hendrick Moy is a NY wedding photographer based in the Hudson Valley. Specializing in modern and contemporary boutique fine art wedding photography with a documentary and photojournalistic approach, He seeks to capture beautiful imagery stealthily and with a low-profile. His dedication to his craft is paralleled only by his desire to make sure his couples are comfortable and well-taken-care-of. He frequently shoots in the NY, NYC, NJ, and CT regions, and is available to travel for destination weddings worldwide. For a little more info on Hendrick’s wedding photography work, visit our FAQ page or click CONTACT above!